Donald Trump said the golf governing body Royal and Ancient (R&A) had laid the groundwork for the Open to return to Turnberry, after landing in Scotland for a five-day visit.

The Ayrshire course remains in the rotation for the Open but has not held the tournament since 2009.

The US president said the sports governing body had spent millions updating Turnberry’s broadcast and communications facilities.

“The infrastructure of the course is good,” he told The Telegraph under the wing of Air Force One after it landed at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“In fact, the Royal and Ancient, I don’t know you’re aware of this ... they spent a lot of money, hundreds of thousands of dollars, probably into the millions of dollars.

“And they’ve laid all the wire for television and for electricity under the holes of Turnberry, so that when the Open gets there, they have it all done.”